God is my shield, refuge, a stronghold in times of trouble! I appreciate these verses that God is the judge and is in control. I put my trust in Him and His plan!
Like
Ben
3d ago
Gen 30 spoke to me on desperation and God’s loving response
I am safe and don’t want to cause injury to myself, and I can relate (in some way) to Rachel’s demand to Jacob: “Give me children, or I’ll die!” Me being a divorced single father, all I want God sometimes to do is: “give me a wife/family/belongingness, or I’ll die!” At times, I feel like I will die without a wife/family/whatever else, however, it shows how black my little heart is, and how God responds to this all. He listened to Rachel. He listened to Leah. Him listening to them gives me hope to know at least He hears me, He is distressed when I am distressed, and He gives me not what I want (wife/family/whatever), but gives me what I ultimately need: Himself.
I am not perfect on this at all, however, it is a great reminder for me to check to see if my heart is for God or for something that is not God.
Grateful God gives us new hearts for Himself!
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Pastor Steve
14h ago
Replying to
His grace is sufficient for us...but my desires often get in the way! Thanks for sharing Ben!
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Karlee
5d ago
It's amazing reading the whole story of Joseph and his brothers. The legacy that family has with so many brothers and repairing relationships with Thanksgiving. It is really impactful the end of that story where Joseph says "you meant evil but God meant it for good" to then be paired with Jesus' arrest...when something bad happens we often yell at God and doubt His plan but through those tribulations He means it for good! Obviously the Easter story is the best story of how that betrayal was truly meant for good! Ultimately we need to trust in God's goodness throughout our lives.
Like
Pastor Steve
5d ago
Replying to
I love that we have the assurance that God is going to lead us THROUGH every struggle, trial, or dark valley. While evil is at work, so is our God...and He always wins out!! Thanks be to God!!
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Pastor Steve
5d ago
When you look at Abraham's family, you cannot help but see the brokenness of the world still at work. From deception to deception, people continue to fail to do what is right in God's eye. Rather, they do what is right in their own eye! Family has seen this struggle and I bet your family does from time to time (I know mine does, because I am in it!). All of this builds up to and points at the one and only Perfect one! Jesus, whom when we are connected to provides His forgiving love to flow through our families and fills them with real love! We all needs Jesus!
Like
Karlee
5d ago
Replying to
I need this reminder! It can be so hard to remember that within our own families there is sin but only a better reminder to turn to God and ask for that forgiveness. What a blessing it will be to be in heaven together without that sin!
Like
Ben
3d ago
Replying to
Thanks for this point, I am right there too with my family (including myself), respectfully, being broken too, as they (myself included) have confessed that reality. Grateful for God loving me and my family in our brokenness.
Like
Karlee
7d ago
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ... this has become one of my favorite verses! I read it after my grandpa/uncle died in the same week a few years ago and I come back to it frequently. I find it a great source of comfort in all things!
Like
Karlee
Jan 12
I appreciate how the readings happen to be lining up with the Sunday School lessons (the story of Joseph, etc). I love the pairings with the new testament too - not always things you would pair together. I like that in John chapter 14 there is so much repetition of "Let not your hearts be troubled" or "I will not leave you" ....it's like that must be important or something but boy do I sometimes forget that!! But how powerful to read that as the same time Joseph is struggling in wanting to know what God's plan is for his life and God never leaves him!
Like
Pastor Steve
Jan 12
Replying to
I wonder if Jesus was trying to get a message through to me in John 14! Great observation :-)
Like
Ben
Jan 09
Two things: At times, I try to focus on what actions I am doing for God, rather than paying attention more to what God has done/is doing for me, and the other point is God is the end goal, for me.
In Gen 9, God takes the action first and makes the covenant to Noah through the rainbow, that God will never again use the waters to destroy the earth. It is a blessing that God takes the action first before I do, so, by God’s help, I am trying to focus on having gratitude on what God has done/is doing for Himself and me, imperfectly, rather than trying to focus on what I have done/am doing for God, that inflates my ego.
In Gen 15, God telling Abram how God is Abram’s reward reminds me to try to let go of what rewards/things can I try to get from God, and ask Him to help me to try to be grateful that He is my ultimate gift, having a relationship with Him is good enough. Easier said than done, for me. Grateful for God giving me the Holy Spirit to try to do this all.
Like
Pastor Steve
Jan 10
Replying to
Great point! How often we make things about us...yet, it is and always will be about Jesus!! Amen!!
Like
Pastor Steve
Jan 04
Each year I read the Bible, I continue to get new things out of my readings! This year, I hadn't noticed that Canaan (son of Ham) is mentioned before we learn about him after the flood! I think that God is foreshadowing the fall of mankind once again after the flood. Canaan sins and reveals the heart of mankind isn't pure after the flood. So too, my heart is not pure but sinful! Our only remedy for sin, is Jesus Word and Promise (Jn 4:41)!
Like
Ben
Jan 02
Genesis 3:5, definitely speaks to me, as I think I can be “like God,” as an equal to God in myself, and I definitely can believe that lie. I definitely am trying to ask my God to help me “check the facts” and to see the truth that God is God and I am not. Not perfect in this, as I do love trying to be God in my black little heart, and I am grateful God still accepts me in Christ. Grateful for God forgiving me and promises to send Jesus to save me and us in Genesis 3:15.
Like
Pastor Steve
Jan 02
Replying to
It is definitely difficult to determine which voice we are going to listen to. Adam choses a voice other than God, Abram choses a voice other than God...It stands to reasons, that you and I fall into that same boat. Good thing we are consistently listening to His voice, that we might trust and obey!
Be it the little black heart, the two year old inside, or some worldly voice...the more we hear Jesus, we sheep know our Shepherd (Jn 10:27-28)!
God is my shield, refuge, a stronghold in times of trouble! I appreciate these verses that God is the judge and is in control. I put my trust in Him and His plan!
Gen 30 spoke to me on desperation and God’s loving response
I am safe and don’t want to cause injury to myself, and I can relate (in some way) to Rachel’s demand to Jacob: “Give me children, or I’ll die!” Me being a divorced single father, all I want God sometimes to do is: “give me a wife/family/belongingness, or I’ll die!” At times, I feel like I will die without a wife/family/whatever else, however, it shows how black my little heart is, and how God responds to this all. He listened to Rachel. He listened to Leah. Him listening to them gives me hope to know at least He hears me, He is distressed when I am distressed, and He gives me not what I want (wife/family/whatever), but gives me what I ultimately need: Himself.
I am not perfect on this at all, however, it is a great reminder for me to check to see if my heart is for God or for something that is not God.
Grateful God gives us new hearts for Himself!
It's amazing reading the whole story of Joseph and his brothers. The legacy that family has with so many brothers and repairing relationships with Thanksgiving. It is really impactful the end of that story where Joseph says "you meant evil but God meant it for good" to then be paired with Jesus' arrest...when something bad happens we often yell at God and doubt His plan but through those tribulations He means it for good! Obviously the Easter story is the best story of how that betrayal was truly meant for good! Ultimately we need to trust in God's goodness throughout our lives.
When you look at Abraham's family, you cannot help but see the brokenness of the world still at work. From deception to deception, people continue to fail to do what is right in God's eye. Rather, they do what is right in their own eye! Family has seen this struggle and I bet your family does from time to time (I know mine does, because I am in it!). All of this builds up to and points at the one and only Perfect one! Jesus, whom when we are connected to provides His forgiving love to flow through our families and fills them with real love! We all needs Jesus!
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ... this has become one of my favorite verses! I read it after my grandpa/uncle died in the same week a few years ago and I come back to it frequently. I find it a great source of comfort in all things!
I appreciate how the readings happen to be lining up with the Sunday School lessons (the story of Joseph, etc). I love the pairings with the new testament too - not always things you would pair together. I like that in John chapter 14 there is so much repetition of "Let not your hearts be troubled" or "I will not leave you" ....it's like that must be important or something but boy do I sometimes forget that!! But how powerful to read that as the same time Joseph is struggling in wanting to know what God's plan is for his life and God never leaves him!
Two things: At times, I try to focus on what actions I am doing for God, rather than paying attention more to what God has done/is doing for me, and the other point is God is the end goal, for me.
In Gen 9, God takes the action first and makes the covenant to Noah through the rainbow, that God will never again use the waters to destroy the earth. It is a blessing that God takes the action first before I do, so, by God’s help, I am trying to focus on having gratitude on what God has done/is doing for Himself and me, imperfectly, rather than trying to focus on what I have done/am doing for God, that inflates my ego.
In Gen 15, God telling Abram how God is Abram’s reward reminds me to try to let go of what rewards/things can I try to get from God, and ask Him to help me to try to be grateful that He is my ultimate gift, having a relationship with Him is good enough. Easier said than done, for me. Grateful for God giving me the Holy Spirit to try to do this all.
Each year I read the Bible, I continue to get new things out of my readings! This year, I hadn't noticed that Canaan (son of Ham) is mentioned before we learn about him after the flood! I think that God is foreshadowing the fall of mankind once again after the flood. Canaan sins and reveals the heart of mankind isn't pure after the flood. So too, my heart is not pure but sinful! Our only remedy for sin, is Jesus Word and Promise (Jn 4:41)!
Genesis 3:5, definitely speaks to me, as I think I can be “like God,” as an equal to God in myself, and I definitely can believe that lie. I definitely am trying to ask my God to help me “check the facts” and to see the truth that God is God and I am not. Not perfect in this, as I do love trying to be God in my black little heart, and I am grateful God still accepts me in Christ. Grateful for God forgiving me and promises to send Jesus to save me and us in Genesis 3:15.
Looking forward to this!